Electromechanical device for simulation of physical exercises with legs and arms

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical device for simulation of physical exercises with legs and arms includes two pedals assembled in two contiguous pantographs, each with a parallel suspension arm predominantly vertical, one junction orthogonal and parallel arms predominantly horizontally articulated in the frame of the device. The pantographs act always in opposition to the movement of the left and right throw traverses articulated in axis respectively vertical and horizontal, connected to vertical and horizontal parallel bars by holders, and the movements are angular of the traverses transmitted to electromagnetic breaks with a belt system. Pulleys and ratchets transform the angular alternative movement into a one way circular movement in the flywheels that have electromagnetic breaks. A control panel of braking and interpretation of sensors of angular movement of the traverses provides information to the user and feed of a display with recent stride of the pedal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also described in Brazilian Patent Application PI-1102892-0, filed on Jun. 14, 2011. The Brazilian Patent Application, whose subject matter is incorporated by reference herein, provides the basis for a claim of priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electromechanical device for simulation of physical exercises with legs and arms, and allowing independent control of horizontal and vertical movements, including such movements in combinations.

Conventionally, gym equipment directed to cardiovascular exercise attempt to simulate walking, running, climbing and arm movement, examples of which include the treadmill, the stationary bike, the elliptical and stair machines. Excluding the treadmill, all the others have break systems that demand effort by the user.

Usually, the course or trajectory of pedals and handles are steady. The load set gets restricted to the break system, with control of intensity on a panel.

Nowadays, the trend of physical training demands changes in the trajectory of the strides, and because of it, more sophisticated machines are being created that allow for change in movement amplitude and incline of trajectory in relation to the horizontal plane.

More modern machines turned the independent horizontal displacement, without any restriction in the mechanism, in a way that the user can change the amplitude by his/her own muscular moves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electromechanical device for simulation of physical exercises with legs and arms that overcome shortcomings of the known arts.

In an embodiment, the electromechanical device simulates physical exercises with arms and legs independently of command the horizontal and vertical movements and its combination, adding controlled load on its direction and combinations, and monitoring of amplitude, to information of a instrument panel where the parameters are displayed on a screen and the power and work can be visualized and stored into memories.

The invention enables a choice of exercise with only the programming the power to be spent, easing the use for athletes, elderly people or people in rehabilitation.

These and other aims and advantages of the present invention are reached with an electromechanical device that simulates physical exercises with legs and arms using a suspension for the pedals made by two pedals built in two continued pantographs, with parallel arms of sustenance predominantly vertical, an orthogonal junction and parallel arms predominantly horizontal articulated in the chassis of the device, and always operating opposite to the left movement and on the right through articulated traverse in respectively vertical and horizontal axis, connected to parallel horizontal and vertical bars through risers, so the angular movements of the traverses are transmitted to electromagnetic breaks by a system of belts, pulleys and ratchets that transform the angular alternative movement into a rotational movement of only one way in the flywheels that have electromagnetic brake, possessing control panel of braking and interpretation of sensors of angular movement of the traverses for information to the user and the supplying of a display with the recent trajectory of the pedal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments that follows, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 presents a lateral elevation view of the device;

FIG. 2 presents a plan view of the device;

FIG. 3 presents a front view of the device;

FIG. 4 presents a plan view of a break system included in the device;

FIG. 5 presents an elevation view of the break system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 presents a schematic plan view of a transmission in the break system;

FIG. 7 presents detailed sectional view taken according to line “A-A” of FIG. 4, illustrating an area of the magnetic brake;

FIG. 8 presents a detailed sectional view taken according to line “B-B” of FIG. 4, illustrating an area of the pulley motor;

FIG. 9 presents a detailed sectional view taken according to line “C-C” of FIG. 4, illustrating an area of the axis with three pulley;

FIG. 10 represents a frontal view of a command and monitoring panel of the device; and

FIG. 11 presents a lateral elevational view of the device covered and with one user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted in the accompanying drawings. The example embodiments are presented in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention and are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

According to FIGS. 1-11, the inventive electromechanical device for simulating physical exercises consists of two parallel pantographic sets, each one consisting of one pedal 1 in the extremity of a horizontal bar 2, which contains, in the oppose extremity two articulations 3 and 4, that are suspended on the inferior extremities of two 5 and 6 parallel long rods, whose superior extremities have articulations 7 and 8 with one juncture 9, that has a vertical 10 prolongation, provided of two articulations 11 and 12, one above the other. To these articulations are assembled the extremities of two parallel arms 13 and 14, which extend to the back of the device, where the column of its frame 15 is found, being assembled in the back extremities of arms 13 and 14 in articulations 16 and 17. FIG. 1 presents the pantographic set described, and also a parallel pantographic set, where the number of the parts is added to the letter “A” to facilitate the understanding.

Also aiming to simplify the figure, panel 18 of control and monitoring has only symbology of fixation to the frame of the machine, and also bearing 19 of mobile arms 20 and 20A.

The rods 5 and 5A have lengthen 21 and 21A above its superior articulations 7 and 7A, where are found articulations 22 and 22A with holders 23 and 23A, which at the respective extremities have articulations 24 and 24A with mobile arms 20 and 20A, which have on their superior part handle bars 25 and 25A, so that the user can hold to them using his/her hands.

Both pantographs execute contrary movements, on the vertical direction and on the horizontal direction.

To perform the vertical horizon, the frame 15 of the device receives a bearing 26 of the axis 27 vertical with a traverse 28 articulated on it to the center and with spherical articulations 29 and 29A, which operates as bearing for two holders 30 and 30A that are assembled, by opposing extremities, in two articulations 31 and 31A existing on rods 6 and 6A above articulations 4 and 4A.

To accomplish the vertical position of the pantographs, the inferior part of the frame 15 has a bearing 32 of horizontal axis 33, which pivots, by the center, a traverse 34 in whose extremities exist two articulation 35 and 35A, of two 36 and 36A holder which leads above, assembling in articulations 37 and 37A of arms 14 and 14A.

The movement of traverses 28 and 34 is angulated and limited, and can be stopped, to demand energy of the user, by two electromagnetic break systems 38 and 39, which are conducted by axis 27 and 33 of the traverses.

FIG. 2 presents a view of the device's drawing, simplified, for better comprehension of pantographs, removing the mobile arms 20 and its belongings, and removing the panel 18 and part of the frame 15. This way, the traverses 28 and 34 and its holders 30 and 36 are more visible, the ones responsible by opposition of the pantographs movements.

Image 3 is equally simplified, with the elimination of components such as panel, mobile arms 20, bearing 26, traverse 28 and belongings, to facilitate the observation of the inversion mechanism of vertical movements.

Each break system 38 and 39 might produce resistance to the angular movement created by horizontal and vertical displacement of the pedal 1 and 1A. The movements are angular and alternatively might be transformed in rotation movement in one only way, so that the magnetic breaks can proceed, in rotation values that allow enough braking.

This way the electromagnetic break system is idealized and is represented in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. Same consists in a structure 39 having the form of a box with 5 parallel axes, where the first 40 axis consists of a flywheel axis 41 of conventional magnetic break, with an internal track power conductor opposite to a row of permanent magnets with altered poles and with motor approximation controlled in the panel 18. This flywheel has a small 42 pulley. The assembling of this part is detailed in FIG. 7.

The second axis 43 is a continuation of axis 27 or 33 or traverse 28 or 34, and considering that inside frame 39 is a double pulley 44, which has two tracks 45 and 46 to smooth or grooved belt. The assembly of this part is detailed on FIG. 8.

The third axis 47 has three pulleys 48, 49 and 61. The pulleys 48 and 49 are identical and assembled to the axis 47 using ratchet 50 and 51 inverted. This can be better seen on FIG. 9.

The quarter axis 52 and fifth 53 are placed on the sides of axis 47 and have pulleys 54 and 55 free to simple diverge of the belt, as seen in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 4 and 6 show the positioning of axis 52 and 53 in relation to the others.

To concretize the pulleys movement, three belts are assembled. This assembly can be followed on FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. The belt 56 of the break passes through the pulley 42 and goes to the pulley 61. The belt 57 passes through track 46 of the pulley 44 and goes until pulley 49 of axis 47. The belt 58 passes through track 45 of pulley 44, passes around pulleys 54 and 55, with a 180 degrees inversion, and returns to pass through pulley 48 of axis 47.

All axes 42, 43, 47, 52 and 53 are assembled by bearing in the frame 39.

Axis 43 receives only angular movements, transmitted by traverses 28 and 34 and its axis 27 and 33.

Using the belts 57 and 58, these movements turn, in opposite angles, pulleys 48 and 49. These pulleys transmit its movement to axis 47, always on the same rotation way, through inverted ratchet 50 and 51, as seen in FIG. 9. This way, pulley 61 turns always on the same way, and amplifies the angular speed transmitted by belt 56 to the small pulley 42 of electromagnetic break.

The gym device has two of these break sets, to allow vertical movements and horizontal movements or combination between these movements.

In the electromagnetic breaks, sensors of angular movement are placed in axis 43 or pulleys 44 to detect amplitudes.

The information of braking level and amplitude are sent to the control panel and monitoring 18. This panel integrates data and time and can, this way, inform the user about the cadence, spent calories, power, and put in a display 59 the current track of a pedal. The control panel has 60 keys to increase or reduce levels of braking. The panel also has inputs to electronic devices that receive the memory of the instruments and history and also devices that already have pre-established settings to the client.

The user's arms can also be exercised by forced movements propelled in handle bars 25 and 25A of the mobile arms 20 and 20A.

Without setting the breaks, the pedals movement 1 is absolutely free, forward or backward, and all possible combination of this movement.

Any user with any provision, being young or old, healthy or in physical recovery, can use this device, because the movement is free, and the braking depends on the load, but also depends on the cadence.

As will be evident to persons skilled in the art, the foregoing detailed description and figures are presented as examples of the invention, and that variations are contemplated that do not depart from the fair scope of the teachings and descriptions set forth in this disclosure. The foregoing is not intended to limit what has been invented, except to the extent that the following claims so limit that. 

1. An electromechanical device for simulation of physical exercises with legs and arms by use of left and right pedals, comprising two pantographs sets supporting bars (2 and 2A) and formed by two long rods (5 and 6, 5A and 6A) parallel therebewteen, with articulations (3 and 4, 3A and 4A) with the bars (2, 2A), wherein the pantographs sets extend upwards until the articulations (7 and 8, 7A and 8A) of a joint (9 and 9A), the one that has a vertical extending (10) with two articulations (11 and 12, 11A and 12A), one set above the other, form where two arms start (13 and 14, 13A and 14A) parallel extended to a posterior part of the frame (15), setting in articulations (16 and 17, 16A and 17A) of columns of this frame (15), and the rods (6 and 6A) of the left side, at half height, articulations (31 and 31A) receive two holders (30 and 30A), the ones that have spherical articulation on its opposite extremes of a traverse (28), with a vertical axis (27) assembled in a bearing (26) fixed to the frame (15) of the device and connected to an electromagnetic break (38), and the frame (15) has, on its inferior part, another bearing (32), with axis (33) horizontal and its electromagnetic break (39), that pivots by the center a traverse (34) whose extremities have articulations (35 and 35A) where they receive holders (36 and 36A), that directs upward and connect in articulations (37 and 37A) of the arms (14 and 14A).
 2. The electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein both mobile arms (20 and 20A) articulated in bearing (19) attached to the frame (15) are provided in the superior part of the handle bars (25 and 25A) and in the intermediate provided of articulations (24 and 24A) that also receive the extremities of the holders (23 and 23A), the one that has its opposed extremities provided of articulations (22 and 22A) which receive the extremes of lengthen (21 and 21A) of the rods (5 and 5A).
 3. The electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein each electromagnetic break has a frame (39) in form of a box with five parallel axes, three of these lined and two dislocated to the side of the third axis, forming, this way, three sets of transmissions, where the first transmission is formed by an axis (40) a flywheel (41) of the magnetic break with electrical conductor internal track put in front of a row of permanent magnets with altered polarity, and with motor approach controlled by the panel, and this flywheel (41) has a small pulley (42); wherein the second set of transmissions is formed by an axis (43) extremely linked with axis (33) of the traverse (34) or with axis (27) of the traverse (28); and wherein internally to the frame (39) there is the third set of transmissions (44, 47, 48, 49, 61, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58) formed by pulleys interconnected among them and among other sets of transmission by belts.
 4. The electromechanical device according to claim 3, wherein each electromagnetic break has internally to the frame (39) one double pulley (44) with, at least, two tracks (45 and 46); and the third axis (47) bears three pulleys (48, 49 and 61), two of which are identical and assembled on the axis (47) using two ratchets (50 ad 51) inverted, where one pulley (61) is attached to the axis (47) and getting a belt (56), that goes until the pulley (42) of axis (40), where both axes (52 and 53) are assembled in both sides of the axis (47) and with pulleys (54 and 55) free, being assembled a belt (58) on track (45) of pulley (44), passing in the outer side in the pulleys (54 and 55) where it diverts 180 degrees, returning and passing through the pulley (48) of axis (47), being assembled into a third belt (57) on the track (46) of the pulley (49) of the axis (47).
 5. The electromechanical device for simulation according to claim 1, wherein the control and monitoring panel (18) is attached to the frame (15), and having command to both electromagnetic breaks (38 and 39), providing increase or reduction of braking levels and receiving signals of sensors of angular movement of each pulley (44) to the integration with time and exhibition of data to the user such as calories spent, cadence, power, besides, using a display, to form the recent path of movement of each pedal (1 and 1A). 